The Snowmobile Alliance of Western States (SAWS) is now a participant with the Citizens for Balanced Use (CBU) litigation against the Forest Service (FS) over their Forest Plan Revision of the Beaverhead Deerlodge National Forest (BDNF).

SAWS stands by our organization's commitment to engage in retention and expansion of snowmobile access on national forest land. SAWS is strongly convinced there is sufficient wilderness acreage existing today to meet the needs of those that wish to access and recreate in current wilderness areas.

Some of you may recall and were possibly involved with a protest rally in Missoula, MT on March 3, 2006 against the FS proposed new closure policies. Thank you to those that joined our rally and are still helping us to oppose these unreasonable closures.

People like you from across Montana and the Western United States, including the SAWS Chairman, Montana SAWS reps, and other snowmobile and multiple use advocates throughout Region 1, gathered to protest the planned region 1 policy to eliminate motorized and mechanized activity in Recommended Wilderness Areas (RWA). Your message was heard loud and clear at that time that you opposed de-facto wilderness implementation. Your message is being carried a step further with SAWS involvement with the filing of the lawsuit by CBU. Please use this SAWS web link to read the legal document filed by CBU: http://www.snowmobile-alliance.org/10/misc/BDNF_FPR_ROD_Complaint.pdf

SAWS is well aware that the decision of "whether or not to create wilderness" is required to be determined by Congress at the wish of the American people who elected these individuals to Congress, and not for the FS and/or the pro-wilderness collaborative coalitions to decide.

The BDNF Record Of Decision has eliminated uses on specific sites without the necessary analysis that is resulting in 100's of thousands of acres becoming RWA and closed to snowmobile use.

SAWS is concerned with such irresponsible action that could lead to further actions across Region 1 and throughout the U.S. that may also become closed without Congressional involvement.

SAWS believes the BDNF is illegally creating de-facto wilderness by eliminating motorized and mechanized travel in these areas without any act from Congress. SAWS proudly supports the organization's membership by entering into this lawsuit filed by CBU, a Montana based multiple-use organization.

HELP US END U.S.D.A. FOREST SERVICE DE-FACTO WILDERNESS POLICY IN MONTANA AND BEYOND

ONCE WILDERNESS, ALWAYS WILDERNESS!

Thank you to the SAWS membership for your continued support and involvement to keep your riding areas open. Remember, SAWS does not charge a membership fee. If you make a donation to the organization, your donation will be used in efforts such as this. The membership is only as strong as you make it. Make it count. Spread the word. Numbers count. Get involved today with your local clubs and state organizations working to keep public land access open for all. Share our website address http://www.snowmobile-alliance.org with your snowmobile contacts and encourage them to consider joining SAWS today.